3. A Celebration of Pleasure, Marathon du Medoc

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Le Marathon du Medoc is a 26.2-mile race through the vineyards of France that prides itself on being the longest and slowest marathon in the world. That’s because this marathon isn’t known for its running but for its wine tasting. In September of 1985, five Bordeaux runners, four of them being doctors, dreamed of a marathon that celebrated pleasure rather than pain. Since then, the race has been held every September and grown to have over 9,000 racers, with a completion rate of less than 1 percent. The organization even discourages applicants concerned with speed records or those that are “sad, unfriendly or stressed out.”

“Runners” start at a civilized 9:30 AM and run through dirt roads on Medoc’s renowned vineyards and at each checkpoint instead of water they are greeted with wine served in real wine glasses. After a few checkpoints you may be tempted to stop but the rest stations get more indulgent the further you go. Official snacks range from bananas, raisins, cocktail crackers to oysters at mile 23, grilled beef at mile 24, and cheese at mile 25. At the end you’re grated a kiss, a rose, and a gym bag with a bottle of 1998 Medoc.

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